Collapsible stepping box



June 23, 1931. F. w. LONGLEY 1,

COLLAPSIBLE STEPPING BOX Filed July 21, 1928 11 INVENTOR j! FmznEmcKmLoueLeY i8 fi I' FIGEfi r ws Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES FREDERICK w. LONGLEY, or vnnnun, QUE ECQ ANADA coLLAPsmLE s'rnrrrnc BOX Application filed m 21, 1928. Serial No. 294,460.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in step boxes for buses, railway cars, and the like. The object of the invention is to provide a step box which may be folded when not in use to take up the minimum amount of space in a bus, car, or the like.

Another object is to provide a folding step box of inexpensive construction which will be light in weight and easily handled.

According to my invention I provide a box, the ends and top of which are hinged centrally to allow the box to be folded when not in use. Secured to the top is a wooden step made in two sections, said step having a covering to prevent the passenger from slipping when using the step. The hinge pins are used to prevent slipping of the box on the floor.

In the drawings which illustrate one form of my invention Figure 1 is a plan view of the step box.

Figure 2 is half sectional side elevation taken on the line 22 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the box shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the box in the folded position.

Figure 5 is a half sectional part end view of the box taken on the line 5-5 Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan taken on the line 66 Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a part section of the box taken on the line 7-7 Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 11 designates the sides of the box which are each made in one piece with the sides bent over to form spaced tubular sections 12. Ornamental perforations 13 may be formed or cut in the sides to provide a handle to facilitate manipulation of the box. The ends 14 of the box are each made in two pieces hingedly attached at their adjacent edges 15. The remote edges 16 of the sides are cut and bent to form spaced tubular members 17, which co-act with the tubular members 12 and the hinge pins 18 to form hinges. The lower ends 19 of the hinge pins are rounded to form feet for the box. The top 20 of the box is also made in two sections with their adjacent edges" 21 hingedly attached to one another. The outer edges ofthetop sections 20 in proximity tothe sides areformed with tubular sleeves 22 aligned with complementary sleeves 23 formed at the top edges of the sides 11. The tubular edges and sections 22 "and 23, in conjunction with the pins 2 1, form hinges. V Secured tothe top sections 20 of th box are the wooden strips 25 which may be covered with carpet 26, bound on one edge with a rubber or like cushion strip 27, which prevents fraying of the carpet and also acts as a non-slip border to prevent the passenger from slipping off the edge of the box while using same. Portions 28 and 29 may be cut out of the lower edges of the box to lighten same. The bottom of the box is left open.

In use the box is opened as shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive and it will be seen that the top of the box has downwardly project- I ing space lugs 30 which engage with the outer surfaces of the end sections to hold the latter'against outward swinging movement. In

this connection it will be understood that when the box is under load there is a tendency for the end sections to swing outwardly and this is guarded against by the'provision of the lugs 30. When the box is not in use, the top is hinged upwardly and the ends are hinged inwardly so that the box takes up the minimum amount of space when being transported. The hinge pin heads at the lower vertical corners of the box prevent slipping of same on the platform when inuse. The device is safe in operation and is preferably made of strong metallic sheeting so that it will stand rough usage. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and manipulate, as all parts are of light construction and of inexpensive material. The wooden step covered with carpet enhances the appearance of the box as well as providing a non-slip surface to prevent passengers from slipping while using same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is w 1. A'step box comprising side members, sectional top members hingedly attached to one another and to the side members, and sectional end members, each end member being hingedly attached to one another at their adjacent edges and at their remote edges to the side members.

2. A step box comprising a pair of side members having spaced tubular sections at their side edges, end members, each member being made in two sections hingedly attached to each other at their adjacent edges and having tubular sections at their edges adapted to fit between the spaces at the adjacent edges of the side members, hinge pins connecting the tubular parts of the side and end members together, a top in two sections hingedly attached to each other and to the side members at the top thereof, means formed in the top and engaging with theside members toprevent outward movement of the side members when in use, and wooden strips secured to the top and covered with non-slip material.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FREDERICK W. LON-GLEY. 

